I knew I had a problem with rocks on site 1 deer food plot. It was late but we wanted to combine the rye off the field first and see if our old early 60's Oliver combine would work. It wasn't real thick but we got 3/4 bag of rye off of it.

There were way too many rocks in it to be able to plow, disk or rotill it. So had to use a set of brillion spring tooth harrows on it. I'm surprised I didn't break them. It was bringing my 65 hp Massey tractor to a complicate stop and I was having to lift them move forward a few feet and drop them again.

Since I knew I wasn't going to pick them by hand I bought a 66" wildkat rock bucket with teeth for the skid steer. It has a vertical 3/8 steel plate every three inches so it collects the 3" and bigger rocks and lets the dirt fall out. One part I messed up on is that I should have worked up the ground a few times over a month or two. All the plant stems really plugged it up and wouldn't let the dirt fall out.

Technique wise I am still trying to figure out the best way. I found out real quick filling the bucket and trying to shake the dirt out doesn't work real well. The best way I have found so far it to push forward a foot or so until I have a pile of dirt and rocks at the end of the bucket and roll it back hard. The rocks will fly to the back of the bucket and most of the dirt will fall out. Also trying to get the bucket more than 1/3 full just takes way too much work. The dirt sits on top of the rocks and doesn't fall out very well. With the technique I have so far it definitely works better with a hydrostatic machine. It would be a whole lot more work if I had to clutch and shift. As well as a lot of wear and tear on a clutch.

I am really glad I got the teeth on the bucket. It really helps pry up the rocks. And it penetrates rocky piles better than my Case W14 wheel loader that weights 10000 lbs more that the skid steer.

Out of this little area.

I got this pile of rocks. It doesn't look too big but its a good 6' high.

Once I got the bigger area worked up. I found it was a lot faster to use the dump truck so I didn't have to travel as far with my 1/3 bucket load of rocks. All together I spend three long days working up the ground and picking the rocks. I got 7, 1/2 dump truck loads of of rock out of the bigger area and dumped them in the gravel pit. But forgot to take a picture of it. The old blue truck is so tall I couldn't dump the bucket when I got much more than a 1/2 load in the truck.

It was amazing to me the size of the rocks the spring tooth's pulled up.

But finally on the 14th I had all my brassicas in and waiting on rain. The only thing I didn't do was fertilize. I didn't want to try to mix it in and bring up more rocks. Hopefully I can be up just before a good rain so I can spread it and have the rain soak it in. But I think its looking pretty good.

And the reason for all the work?

Billy

Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. 1964 cub. Farmall 100 and 130.

"Those that say it can’t be done should not interrupt the ones who are doing it.”

A lot of work to feed deer. My way is easier. Looked out the window this morning and two were in the lawn eating grass. They then wandered into the neighbors bean field for some protien. He did all the work except mow my lawn. Both were beginning to grow antlers. Vern

I was a dirty puppy those three days. I was covered in dirt and dust. Once I started filling the dump truck I had to get safety glasses to keep it out of my eyes.

Thanks Bill

I'm pretty happy with it. I'll have to go over it again next year. The first little area I worked up rocked it worked it up again and re rocked. I ended up lowering the whole area about 14" The larger area of the field I just went over once as I was running out of time. But all the rock I pull out will come in handy when I start building a trail to my uncles through a swampy area.

Thanks Dan

Thats a great idea I didn't like rocking the bucket against the stops. That should make it a lot easier on me and my machine.

Howdy Vern

Where I am at is all woods. Every field and trail I had to put in. My driveway goes across 1/4 mile of my Uncle's property just to get to ours. When my Dad and brother got the last 80 that adjoins my 40. My brother was wondering why we got it as we would never be able to get up there and use it. But 6 years of hard work and its starting to look like something. That field has so many rocks sticking up I was beating my mower to death. Plus I just like watching it grow and the deer eating it.

This is what it looked like two years ago when I started making the field.

Billy

Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. 1964 cub. Farmall 100 and 130.

"Those that say it can’t be done should not interrupt the ones who are doing it.”

I is envious. I don't have access to my toy box anymore as the big project is essentially all done. I miss the dozer and the loader. I am actually looking for a TD-7/8 or a gas equivalent so I can play.

You really have done a nice job up in the UP and I am sure your Dad would be real proud of all that you have accomplished .. keeping on the family project. Well done. I am sure he is watching (+)

Thought that was him. I enjoyed meeting your dad.I almost posted about you better plan on doing a rock job again next year too for they seem to grow new ones over the winter with frost heave and all. I figured you would figure it out your self and sure enough you did.

Bill

"Life's tough.It's even tougher if you're stupid."- John Wayne

" We hang petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office."- Aesop

Billy,I have been following your post the last few years as you have been working on the property and it has progressed along very nicely. You should be proud of all the hard work and the results. I'm sure your Dad is watching and saying thats my boy!Put those rocks to work and use them like Arizona Mike did make walls out of them I know its easy to say when your sitting around reading the forum and giving advice It really looks good and I'm sure it will keep on moving in that direction under your care.

Ron

I bought an old tractor all dusty and worn,knew nothing about her just the year she was bornI washed her and greased her and painted her redNow she lives happily right here in my shed.

What I plan on doing next year is ripping it up with the dozer down to 18" putting the dirt in windrows. Then sifting it through the rock bucket. Hopefully I'll have the dozer fixed by then.

Howdy Ron

Its great to hear from you again. I am planing on using the rock on a trail between me and my uncles. Its a 1/8 mile of bad news though a cedar swamp. I don't know how we can have a swamp on the side of a hill. But its always wet and muddy through there.

Billy

Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. 1964 cub. Farmall 100 and 130.

"Those that say it can’t be done should not interrupt the ones who are doing it.”